January 1, 2022 New Year’s Day

 

Hymn    See Amid the Winter’s Snow #76

Scripture Lessons:       Isaiah 63:7-9

                                     Psalm 147:12-20

                                     John 1:1-18

Hymn Great God WeSing Your Mighty Hand #529VU

Meditation 

Prayer:  Freshness (a prayer/poem by Joyce Rupp)

a new year is moving in

just as surely as the winter

walks along in snowflakes

and I sit here wondering

in the breath of his bless

and the glance of his grace

I think about the year now gone

and how I’ve walked across it

(it grieves me some and joys me some)

and as the new year stretches

I wonder how I’ll meet it

will I let his grace find me

and will I let him charm me

and will I let his truth possess me

and will I let him lead me

and will I take his love to heart

and fix my gaze on him

oh how I wonder how I’ll meet this year

and if I’ll give myself the chance

to catch the breath of bless

and glance of his dear grace

to rise and walk from sinfulness

to come return and find him waiting

to reach and know that he can heal

to turn around and give up all 

and let him be my treasure

a new year is moving in

just as surely as the winter

walks along in snowflakes

my God is moving in again

and just like winter snow

he breathes my life full freshness

Hymn.        Joy is Now in Every Place #45

There will be no Sunday service on New Year’s Day in our churches, but there will be a regional Zoom service offered at 10am by the cluster of South Shore ministers. Barbara will be sending out the link to participate in this service. We are expecting to be back to our regular services in the hall beginning January 8th. That Sunday we will be in Ormstown at 9:30 and Howick at 11am. 

Have a blessed and happy and healthy new year, everyone. 

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day 2022

 

A candle burns, the last marker of our Advent journey. 

As we arrive at our journey’s end, May we arrive with wonder and worship. 

As we arrive at our journey’s end, God of journeys, welcome us. ( by David Hamflett and printed in the Iona Community’s Candles and Conifers) 

Hymn      Angels We Have Heard on High #38

Scripture Lessons:       Isaiah 9:2-7

                                     Luke 2:1-20

Carol       Silent Night #67

Meditation 

Prayer:  Lord, it is Christmas, and I have traced my way to a manger by the light of a beam from a teardrop of a newborn child crying for love, 

for peace, in a war-torn broken world, 

filled with greed and lawlessness, with violence and destruction, draping this beautiful earth in clouds of despair, of disunity. 

Lord, this Christmas, give us new hope and strength, new meaning and power to Change with love, with understanding, to face challenges with courage believing that a life centred in Thee will never fail to build a world of Peace 

of Brotherhood 

of Love. The Love that was born at Christmas. Amen.

…Lord, rekindle in us the dying embers of Faith with the power of the Incarnation 

of the Cross 

of the Resurrection 

to rebuild our broken world with friendship and laughter with music and dance with your Life-giving Spirit, to weave all creation and all nations in your garland of changeless Love. Amen.  (written by Savithri Devansen and printed in Gifts in Open Hands edited by Maren Tirabassi and Karen Wonson Eddy) 

Carol       Go Tell it on the Mountain #43

Sunday, December 18, 2022 The Fourth Sunday of Advent

 

A candle burns, the fourth marker of our Advent journey. 

As we continue, May we travel joyfully. 

As we continue, God of journeys, draw us to journey’s end. Amen. ( by David Hamflett and published in the Iona Community’s Candles and Conifers.)

Hymn.    Gentle Mary Laid Her Child #36VU

Prayer: Lord Christ, born of Mary, in our littleness, in our weakness, Let your light shine. 

Lord Christ, born of Mary, in our strength and our achievement, Let your kingdom come. 

Lord Christ, born of Mary, in the overturning of our values, in the renewing of your people, 

Let your kingdom come. Amen. 

Scripture Lessons:      Romans 1:1-7

                                    Psalm 80:1-7 p.794VU

                                    Matthew 1:18-25

Meditation 

Prayer:  God of mystery and miracles, your Word brings light into the dark places of our lives; your presence gives us strength to endure when we are pushed beyond our own strength. You find us in our list Ness and, with love beyond our imagining, you lead us home. 

All this you offer in and through Jesus Christ. Yet, we resist you. We resist loosening our tight grip on our lives. We hesitate to trust you for you may lead us where we do not want to go. You know the places in our hearts and in our minds where we are well-defended against your intrusions. 

In this season of longing, grant us grace to bring all that we are to you, O Christ— all the broken places, all the lost wandering, all the weariness from trying to live lives that are pleasing to you. 

Hold them all in the fullness of your love. Then, be born in us, that we may find our home, our life, our joy in you, Lord of light and love. (a prayer written by Christine Jarrett and shared on the re:worship website.) 

Hymn        O Little Town of Bethlehem #64 

This Sunday is Communion Sunday in our three churches: in Howick at 9:30, in Ormstown at 11:00 and in Franklin during its Christmas Candlelight service at 7:30pm. All are welcome to attend. 

Many thanks to all who gave so generously to our White Gift service last Sunday. It is going to make a great difference to many local families. In Howick there were 78 donations to the Mitten Tree and 15 bags going to the Christmas baskets. Your generosity is being noticed. 

Also, thanks to those who organized the activities in church last Sunday in Ormstown. It was greatly appreciated. 

There will be Christmas Eve services held in both Howick and Ormstown. Howick’s will be held at 6pm and Ormstown’s will be at 8pm. There will be no Sunday service on Christmas Day and on New Year’s Day there will be a regional Zoom service offered. If you wish to participate, please let Barbara know and she will send you the link. The regular schedule of Sunday services will begin on January 8th with a 9:30 service in the hall in Ormstown and an 11:00 service in Howick. 

Sunday, December 11, 2022 The Third Sunday of Advent

 

A candle burns, the third marker of our Advent journey. 

As we continue, May we travel expectantly. 

As we continue, God of journeys, guide our footsteps. (written by David Hamflett and published in the Iona Community’s Candles and Conifers)

Hymn.      Good Christian Friends Rejoice #35

Scripture Lessons:       Isaiah 35:1-10

                                     Luke 1:47-55

 

                                     Matthew 11:2-11

Hymn.         People Look East #9

Meditation 

Prayer: God of tender compassion: hear the cry of your children whose hope is faint, Lord in mercy, 

Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing. 

Ruler of all nations, prince of peace: bring an end to violence and the starvation linked with war. Lord in mercy, 

Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing. 

Promised Saviour, who will faithfully bring forth justice: overturn oppression and greed; raise up those whom the world has brought low. Lord in mercy, 

Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing. 

Holy child, stable-born: provide warm shelter for the homeless poor, and help us to see you in every guest. Lord in mercy, 

Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing. 

Infant of Bethlehem, brought in haste to Egypt: console all driven from home by cruel threat, and protect all who must wander in search of refuge. Lord in mercy, 

Make bright our gloom and fill the hungry with every good thing. 

O God, you have remembered your promise of mercy, you have come to dwell among us, and you have revealed your glory. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, that we might pour ourselves out for the hungry and reveal your care to the afflicted. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. (from the Evangelical Lutheran Church, posted on the World Renew website and shared through the Canadian Food Grains Bank.)

Hymn       Joy to the World #59

This Sunday is our White Gift Sunday, in all three churches. We will be collecting non-perishable food items and gifts for families, particularly children under 12. Gifts for La Bouffe should be wrapped and labelled for age and gender, if appropriate. They can be brought to church this week, 9:30 in Franklin, 11:00 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick, with Debbie Beattie. If you cannot bring the gifts this Sunday, you may bring them the week following, or contact Barbara and we will make sure they get to the food bank for distribution. 

This coming Thursday, December 15th members of the Howick UCW will be getting together in the church to organize the goodie exchange for Christmas. We will begin about 9:45. 

Next Sunday, December 18th will be Communion Sunday in our churches, 9:30 in Howick, 11:00 in Ormstown, and 7:30pm in Franklin, in their Candlelight Christmas service. 

The Christmas Eve services will be held at 6pm in Howick and 8pm in Ormstown. There will be no Sunday service on Christmas Day and there will be a regional Zoom service held on New Year’s Day. Please let Barbara know if you would like to receive the link to participate. 

Sunday, December 4, 2022 The Second Sunday of Advent

A candle burns, the second marker of our Advent journey. 

As we continue, May we travel faithfully. 

As we continue, God of journeys, speak to us. Amen. (written by David Hamflett, from the Iona Community’s  Candles and Conifers)

Hymn.     Hail to God’s Own Anointed #30

Scripture Lessons:       Isaiah 11:1-10

                                     Psalm 72 p.790VU

                                     Romans 15:4-13

Hymn.     Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming #8

Meditation

Prayer: Lord, we have pulled out the Advent wreath, the Christmas tree, the poinsettias. We dusted off the hymns, unsung for a year (at least), and unearthed the words of your prophets. 

   Yet in your eyes, these efforts are for nothing without the regular, persistent, deep pursuit of justice for all people. 

   Our efforts are hollow without consistent work toward peace, reconciliation, and participation in your mission for creation. In our hearts, we do long to be your people, to carry out your mission, to be lights in the darkness— proof that no darkness can overcome your truth. 

   Awaken us to action. Stir us to courage. Rouse us to prepare a way in the wilderness for your coming, clearing the brush of oppression, racism, injustice, and hopelessness— so that all may see your light and perceive your coming. Amen. ( a prayer written by lutheranjulia and  posted on RevGalPals blog and also on re:worship.com.)

Hymn.     Hark the Angels Sing #48

Many thanks for all who helped make our Family Activity Day in Howick a success. The activities were interesting and a lot of fun and the lunch was delicious! 

This Sunday’s services will be 9:30 in Ormstown and 11:00 in Howick. 

Howick UCW (formerly known as “Unit C”) will be holding its Christmas Potluck Supper Thursday, December 8th beginning at 6pm. Please let Marlene know what you are planning to bring for the meal. Also we will be collecting items for women for the Christmas baskets and donations for a local project or need. 

December 11th will be White Gift Sunday in all three congregations. Donations of non-perishable food items and toys for children for the Christmas baskets would be greatly appreciated. 

December 18th will be Communion Sunday in all three congregations. We will be celebrating the sacrament at 9:30 in Howick, 11:00 in Ormstown, and 7:30pm in Franklin, in its Christmas Candlelight service. 

There will be Christmas Eve services held in Howick and Ormstown. The service in Howick will be held at 6pm and in Ormstown the service will be held at 8pm. 

Sunday, November 27, 2022 The First Sunday of Advent

 

Prayer for Lighting the Advent Candles (from the Iona Community’s Candles and Conifers, written by David Hamflett)

A candle burns, the first marker of our Advent journey. 

As we set out, May we travel hopefully. 

As we set out, God of journeys, travel with us. 

Hymn.      Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus #2VU

Scripture Lessons:      Isaiah 2:1-5

                                    Psalm 122 p. 845VU

                                    Matthew 24: 36-44

Meditation

Prayer:  God, we come to you in our waiting. 

We wait with our fears, our anxieties and frustrations, our pains and our regrets, our shame and our confusion. God, help us to wait in peace. 

We wait with impatience: we rush around, preparing for the festivities, not leaving the space to prepare our hearts.God, help us to wait in faith. 

We wait in excitement: we are ready to celebrate! We know the story with its humbleness, simplicity, and wonder. God, help us to nurture our joy. 

We wait in thanksgiving: we are free and able to celebrate. We have others around us to share in the journey. We are able to wonder in the marvel of your gift. 

God, help us to receive your gift with love. Amen. (a prayer by Katrina Crosby, also printed in Candles and Conifers)

Hymn.      O Come O Come Emmanuel #1VU

There will be a Family Activity Day beginning at 11:00 on this Sunday, November 27th, including some worship and some intergenerational activities as well. We will end with a shared soup luncheon. Wilene Cullen is taking volunteers to bring soup, cheeses and crackers. Please let her know if you can help out. 

St Paul’s Stewards will meet on Wednesday, November 30th at 7:30 at the home of Wendy Denison. 

Worship Schedule: December 4. 9:30 Ormstown.   11:00. Howick

December 11.      9:30. Franklin.      11:00. Ormstown.    11:00.  Howick with Debbie Beattie

                             White Gift services in all 3 churches, children’s activities in the church in Ormstown.

December 18.      9:30. Howick.    11:00. Ormstown —Communion Sunday in both churches

                             7:30pm Candlelight Christmas Communion service in Franklin

December 24.     Christmas Eve services:  6pm. Howick.     8pm. Ormstown

December 25.      No Sunday service

January 1.             Regional Zoom service 10am, please contact Barbara for the link

There will be a Christmas potluck celebration held for the Howick UCW on Thursday, December 8th beginning at 6pm, in the church hall. Please call Marlene Stuckey to let her know what you will be bringing. 

Preparation of the goodie plates will be on Thursday, December 15th, beginning at about 9:45 in the church basement. 

Looks like we are going to be busy! Have a good week. B

Sunday, November 20, 2022 Reign of Christ Sunday

 This is the last Sunday of this liturgical year. Next Sunday we begin a new year with the first Sunday of Advent. Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉

Hymn     Come Children Join to Sing #345

Scripture Lessons:  Colossians 1:11-20

                                Luke 1:69-79 p.900VU

                                Luke 23:33-43

Meditation

Prayer:  O God, in Jesus you keep turning the world’s expectations upside down.

  You promise a king but we find an ordinary man who shares our lives and our sorrows. 

  We look for a Messiah but we find one born as a homeless child laid to sleep in a manger and who becomes a refugee living as a stranger in a strange land. 

  We seek a Saviour but he comes without armies or weapons, with only a small party of followers and he is put to death on a cross by his enemies. 

  We have visions of glory but he speaks about service and servanthood.  

Open our eyes and ears and hearts, O God, to all that Jesus can teach and reveal to us in his life and death and resurrection and may his love and grace and peace fill and reign in our hearts now and always. Amen. 

Hymn   Rejoice the Lord is King #213

Today in Howick the Howden-Templeton bursaries will be presented to our 2 recipients: William Orr and Kevin Macfarlane. Congratulations and best wishes to both of you! 

Next Sunday Howick will beholding a family activity service that will include some worship and also activities such as puzzles and preparing treats and cards for Christmas. We will start at 11:00 and end with a soup luncheon. There will be activities for all ages. Please join us. 

We have been inviting donations to the Canadian FoodGrains Bank through the fall. As we move into Advent, the envelopes will remain available for those who wish to make a donation in the future. 

Mitten trees will be appearing in our three churches. Donations of hats, scarves, mittens, and gloves would be gratefully received. 

White Gift Sunday will be held on Sunday, December 11th in all three churches. Both gifts and non-perishable food items would be gratefully received. 

FYI: following the survey that Wilene Cullen circulated a couple of weeks ago, it has been decided to hold a Christmas Eve service in Howick at 6pm. There will also be a later service in Ormstown at 8pm.